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Author
Topic: "Happy Pills" (Read 2964 times)

I've been on Lexapro 20mg for about 8 months. It pretty much got rid of any depression, but I stopped taking the meds for a few days. Big mistake. I became very irratible, angry and almost explosive, as if I were on major PMS! I got back on the pills and seem better. I originally got on the pills for depression and social anxiety. Has anyone else had this happen?

I have tried antidepressants in the past and they never did anything for my moods. However, I now take a mild sedative as required during the days and a stronger version at bed time. If I were to just stop cold taking these, I would probably feel like slaughtering cattle and going on a rampage. I believe the safest way to go off any mood altering drug is slow slow slowly.

I was diagnosed a couple of months ago and spent about a month in the hospital with PCP and some other stuff. Without my asking for it (but with my knowledge) my doctor started me on VENLAFAXINE. I havn't really noticed any difference in my moods etc since before I started taking it. But maybe I'd be more down if I wasn't taking it.

I also have to see a therapist about once a week, again not because I asked for one but it's part of the therapy my doctors office uses. I think the main reason is to monitor me and make sure the medication isn't making me feel suicidal! Which I am not....yet.

Logged

And I wished for guidance, and I wished for peaceI could see the lightning; somewhere in the eastAnd I wished for affection, and I wished for calmAs I lay there - Nervous in the light of dawn

I think with all SSRIs like Lexapro you're supposed to gradually decrease the dose if you want to stop taking it or start taking another SSRI at the time you stop taking Lexapro. I've taken Lexapro during several stints when my drug-of-choice, Paxil, seemed to lose its effectiveness. The Lexapro helped combat the depression but I became resistant to the beneficial effects within 6 - 9 months and switched back to Paxil.

I stopped taking anti-depressants in July 1998 with my first attempt at HAART and by January of 1999 attempted suicide. After I climbed out of that pit I started back with Paxil and take it regularly. So far so good, but I switched to Zoloft for a few months a couple of years ago to take a Paxil break.

Recently it seems when I take my 80mg of Paxil I get heartburn but eating something concurrently with the drug lessens or negates that side-effect.

Best of luck!

Boo

Logged

String up every aristocrat!Out with the priests and let them live on their fat!

Allopath: Did you ever here the phrase, REAL men don't need directions?

LOL... I've heard that phrase - my partner is a true believer. ~shakes head sadly~ Oh well, can't teach an old dog new tricks and you can lead a horse to the instruction manual, but you can't make him think!

Hope you get this situation sorted out to your satisfaction soon. I'm glad to hear you'll be talking it over with your doc - always a good idea.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts